Choosing A Cosmetic Surgeon

If you are choosing a cosmetic surgeon, you can learn a lot about the surgeon and the practice during a one-on-one consultation. To schedule a consultation with our experienced New York cosmetic surgeon Dr. Basil Pakeman, MD, FRCS, please call Manhattan Surgical Care at 212-308-1566.

Evaluating a Cosmetic Surgeon

When evaluating a cosmetic surgeon, you should look for proper qualifications. Cosmetic surgeons can come from diverse backgrounds. Your cosmetic surgeon’s qualifications should include:

Board certification: A surgeon who is certified by a particular medical board has demonstrated competence, skill and knowledge in a certain specialty or medical field.

Training and education: Your cosmetic surgeon should have a verifiable MD from a recognized medical school. Cosmetic surgeons can move on to many different training opportunities after med school, including oculofacial surgery.

Experience: Your cosmetic surgeon should have some amount of experience performing cosmetic procedures, especially the procedure you are interested in. You should decide the number of years of experience you want your cosmetic surgeon to possess.

Referrals: Ask a friend, your doctor, or another person you trust if they have any recommendations for cosmetic surgeons.

Professional affiliations: Choose a cosmetic surgeon who makes an effort to connect with the field through professional affiliations, such as the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Demonstrable results: Your cosmetic surgeon should be able to demonstrate results achieved with other patients. Ask to view before-and-after photos, preferably of patients who have had the same procedure you are interested in.

Dr. Pakeman received his MD from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and is board certified by both the American Board of Ophthalmology and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (which is based in Canada). He has extensive training and experience in cosmetic procedures and oculofacial surgery. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. He is a recognized authority in the cosmetic and oculofacial fields, and continues to lecture nationally and internationally, and publish written work for medical journals.

Questions to ask when choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon

You deserve a friendly, competent and professional cosmetic surgeon. Choose a cosmetic surgeon who answers your questions and doesn’t withhold information or rush your decisions. To evaluate the cosmetic surgeon’s credentials and qualifications, you should ask:

How many years have you been performing cosmetic surgery, and how often do you perform the procedure I am interested in?

Where will my procedure be performed, in this office, the hospital, or an accredited ambulatory surgical center?

What procedure do you recommend for the changes I want to see?

What are the risks associated with the procedure, and how is a complication handled if one should arise?

Be wary of any cosmetic surgeon who promises a certain outcome or refuses to discuss certain aspects of the procedure with you. You may also want to verify the cosmetic surgeon’s medical license with your state’s medical board. The cosmetic surgeon you choose should be experienced, competent and dedicated to safety and achieving the result you want to see.

If you are searching for an experienced or New York cosmetic surgeon, please contact Manhattan Surgical Care to schedule a consultation with our experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Basil Pakeman, MD, FRCS.